The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-12-10


yards, and this deck amt anywhere more'n
fifty. It's an uncomfortable style, a nasty
style-but it's my style. thought I'D
tell yer, so yer could take it easy where
You air. Where's Ferrersy"
Even in the mans insane terror, his ut.
ter bewilderment at the question was evil
dent. "Ferrers'" he gasped; don't know
him, swear to God, boss"
"P'r'aps," said Mott, with infinite Gun.
ming eyer don't know the man ez ken
into the loft from the alley last night
p'r'aps yer didn't see an airy Frenchmar
with dyed mustache, eh' Thought that
would fetch ye!" he continued, as the man
started at the evidence that his vision OF
last night was living man. "P'r'aps
you and him didn't break into this ship
last night, jist to run of with my darter
Rosey? P'r'aps yer don't know Rosey,
eh9 P'r'aps yer don't know ez Ferrers
wants to marry her, and hez been hangin
round yer ever since he left-ehr'
Scarcely believing the evidence of his
senses that the old man whose treasure hi
had been trying to steal was utterly ignor,
ant Of his real offense, and yet uncertain
of the penalty Of the other crime Of which
he was accused, the I.ascar writhed his
body and stammered vaguely, mercy
Mercy"
"Well," said Mott cautiously, "ez
reckon the hide of a dead Chinee Niger
amt any more vallyble that that of dead
Injin, I don't care Of let up on YER
SEEM the cussedness amt yours. But ei
/ let yer of this once you must take q
message to Ferrers from me-"
"Let me of this time, boss, and ]
swear to God I WILL" said the Lascar
eagerly.
aye kin say to Ferrers-let me see"-
deliberated Mott, leaning on his rifle with
cautious reflection. aye kin say to Fer
rers like this-sez you, 'Ferrers, SEE you,
the old man SEE that afore you went
away you sez to him, seq you, 81 take my
honor with me-" seq you'-have You got
that?" interrupted Mott suddenly.
Eyes, boss"
"'I take my honor with me, seq you"
repeated Mott slowly. Now SEE you
the old man seq, seq he--tell Ferrers,
sez lie, that his honor havin' run away
agin, he sends it back to him, and eff he
ever ketches it around after this he'll
shoot it on sight Hev yer got thatr'
EYES," stammered the bewildered cap.
tive.
"Then gitr'
The Lascar sprang to his feet with the
agility Of a panther, leaped through the
hatch above him, and disappeared over
the bow of the ship with an unhesitating
directness that showed that every avenue
of escape had been already contemplated
by him. Slipping lightly from the cut
water to the ground, he continued his
fight, only stopping at the private office
of Mr.. Sleight.
When Mr.. Renshaw and Rosey Mott ar
rived on board the Pontiac that evening,
they were astonished to find the passage
before the cabin completely occupied with
trunks and boxes, and the bulk of their
household goods apparently in the process
Of removal Mr.. Mott, who was superin-
tending the work Of the two Cinnamon,
betrayed not only no surprise at the ap-
pearance of the young people, but not the
remotest recognition of their own Devil
derment at his occupation.
"kalkilatin. he remarked casually to
his daughter, you'd rather look arter
your fixin's, Rosey, I've left 'em till the
last P'r'aps yer and Mr.. Renshaw
wouldn't mind sittin' down on that locker
until I've strapped this yer box.
but what does 1t all mean, fatherr'
said Rosey, taking the old man by the la
pei of his pea jacket and slightly empha-
sizing her question, What in the name of
goodness arc you doingi'
"Breakin' camp, Rosey, dear, breakin'
camp, jist as we uster," replied Mott, with
cheerful philosophy "Kinder like ole
times, amt it, Lord, Rosey," he contin-
ued, stopping and following up the remi-
nisCence with the end of the rope in his
hand as il it were clew, don't We mind
that day we started outer Livermore pass
and seed the hull O. the Californy coast
stretchin' yonder, eh' But don't ye be
skeered, Rosey, dear" he added quickly,
as if in recognition Of the alarm expressed
in her face. ~ amt turning we outer
house and home; I've jist hired that ere
Madrono Cottage from the Peters ontil we
kin look round"
"But you're not leaving the ship,
father" continued ROsey, impetuously.
"You haven't sold it to that man Sleight?"
Mr.. Mott rose and carefully closed the
cabin door. Then drawing n large wallet
from his pocket, he said, ats singular ye
should hev got the name right the first
pop, amt it, Rosey2 but it's Sleight, sure
enough, all the time. This yer check" he
added, producing paper from the depths
of the wallet, "this yer check for $25, 600
is what he paid for it only two hours ago"
"But," said Renshaw, springing to his
feet furiously, you're duped, swindled-
betrayedp'
"Young man." said Mott, throwing q
certain dignity into his habitual gesture Of
placing his hands on Renshaw's shoulders,
II bought this yer ship five years ago jist
ez she stood for $1,000. Kalkilatin' wot
she cost me in repairs and taxes, and wot
she brought me in since then, accordin' to
INV AUoarip, dop,f rnl1 a c1aar pr0fit Of